Panthers sign former Buccaneers WR Deven Thompkins

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales has been reunited with a familiar pair of hands.

As officially announced on Thursday, the team has signed wideout Deven Thompkins. The 5-foot-8, 155-pound receiver spent last season under Canales, who had served as the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

A Fort Meyers, Fla. native, Thompkins headed out west to play his college ball at Utah State University from 2018 to 2021. He capped off his four-year stay with a stellar senior campaign—reeling in 102 passes for 1,704 yards and 10 touchdowns en route to a First-team All-Mountain West selection and a Third-team AP All-American nod.

Thompkins would then enter the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Buccaneers in 2022. He amassed 22 receptions for 115 yards and a score as well as totals of 28 kick returns and 31 punt returns over his two pro seasons.

To make room for Thompkins, the Panthers waived/injured rookie defensive lineman Popo Aumavae. According to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer, Aumavae sustained an Achilles injury during the opening outing of training camp on Wednesday.